Hauritz - Australia confident

Hauritz: change of mood

Selection will come down to how the wicket is and what they think the best mix is. If picked I know I'll do my role well - every time I've had the opportunity I've done that.

Nathan Hauritz
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Nathan Hauritz believes Australia's Ashes comeback was prompted by their display on the final day of the drawn third Test at Edgbaston.

England were frustrated by Michael Clarke and Marcus North as they attempted to bowl out the tourists with victory - and a 2-0 lead in the series - seemingly within their grasp.

Hauritz believes the performance also restored the Australian bowlers' self-belief just days before demolishing England at Headingley by an innings and 80 runs.

Andrew Strauss' side must prevail in the deciding Test at the Oval, which begins on Thursday, to reclaim the Ashes but Hauritz believes Australia are in the driving seat.

"The mood started to change at Edgbaston," said the off-spinner. "The way our quicks bowled - with more purpose and aggression - showed they were starting to click and get back to where they were in South Africa.

"Since then they've been bowling the way they did in South Africa.

Belief

"The mood wasn't dark before Edgbaston but after then the bowlers had more belief in what they were doing.

"They were starting to land the ball in the area and do a few other things. The guys showed the England batsmen they can swing the ball.

"We felt when Michael and Marcus batted out that last that it was a turning point.

"We were under a lot of pressure on that last day but the boys batted very well.

"Then we went to Headingley and got them out for 102 in the first innings. It's a funny game because things turn so quickly."

Hauritz did not play at Headingley but is expected to feature at the Oval in place of Stuart Clark.

Much will depend on the wicket and Hauritz, who took 2-43 in Australia's 103-run victory over the England Lions in Canterbury, must wait until Thursday to discover if he has been selected.

"Selection will come down to how the wicket is and what they think the best mix is," he said.

"If picked I know I'll do my role well - every time I've had the opportunity I've done that.

"It will just come down to how the conditions are. The wicket may still be dry and they might want to take four quicks."

Critics

In his three Ashes Tests this summer Hauritz has taken 10 wickets at 32.10 runs each and the 27-year-old hopes he has answered some of his critics.

"My main goal was to play one Test then to take it from there," he said.

"To do a steady job with nothing outstanding has been good and I've been happy to play a role.

"Every Test you play you learn more about yourself and what you can or can't do.

"Before I came out I was labelled a defensive bowler who didn't spin the ball.

"But I think I've shown on a spinning wicket what I can do. That defensive tag was weird but I can't change people's perception.

"I suppose that came about because I didn't spin it that much when I first started.

"It doesn't really faze me. I can also play a role even if it's not spinning. I think I've done okay."